The city of Portland is counting the number of its homeless residents in both shelters and outdoors.

The Wednesday evening search will determine how many men, women and children are homeless. Teams will conduct the surveys at one of the seven shelters within the city and search a number of outdoor locations to try and locate individuals living on the streets.

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News 8's Aly Myles has accompanied searchers to spots in Portland including Deering Oaks, behind the Cumberland County Jail and underneath the Casco Bay Bridge.

The effort began at 5:30 p.m. and will continue until midnight. So far, 10 people have been found to be unsheltered, or living outside.

Homeless numbers have grown in recent years, according to city figures.

In 2009, Portland had 276 homeless with three unsheltered.

In 2010, Portland had 325 homeless with nine unsheltered.

In 2011, Portland had 340 homeless with two unsheltered.

In 2012, Portland has 390 homeless with five unsheltered.

Point-in-Time surveys of those people will help identify who is homeless, what factors led to them becoming homeless, and what can the city and state do to prevent homelessness. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Maine Field Officer Director William Burney and Portland Mayor Michael Brennan are scheduled to participate in the count, a release from HUD said.

The Point in Time Survey is a federal Housing and Urban Development requirement for certain funding.